Building a Bridge

What did Alex and Maria want to build? 

• a pool
• a car
• a fountain
• a bridge

 What is the main challenge faced by the characters in this story? 

• how to swim in a river so shallow that rocks are poking out of the water in some places 
• how to get from one side of the river to the other without using the walkway 
•  how to find the distance from one side of the river to the other without measuring tools
• how to make sure the log they use for their bridge is secure on both sides of the river 

Which of the following sentences from the story provides evidence that Maria was deliberate and thoughtful in her actions? 

• “Maria looked around the grassy riverbank and noticed a few logs and branches lying close to the water.” 
• “Maria wondered if they could measure the distance from the riverbank they stood on to the other shore.”
• “She ran over to a thick tree branch that looked long enough to be placed across the river.” 
• “Alex and Maria were frustrated.” 

 Which sentence from the text supports the idea that Alex and Maria used teamwork to build the bridge? 

• “Alex and Maria began to sweat as they walked, even though their house was only ten minutes away from the park’s entrance.” 
• “Together, she and Alex hefted the branch onto their shoulders and walked it to the water.” 
• “‘I know!’ Alex said. She began to gather thinner branches, like the ones they had tied together, which were pliable and easy to bend.”
• “‘Hooray!’ Maria said. ‘Now we know how long the log needs to be.’” 

 What is this passage mostly about? 

• the importance of girl power and teamwork 
• B two girls solving a problem together
• the benefits of urgency when working toward goals 
• the difference between two girls’ plans to get across a river 

 Read this sentence: “Now Alex and Maria had to figure out how to make sure the log was secure on both sides of the bank before they walked across it to reach the other side of the river.”
What is the meaning of the word secure in this sentence? 

• secure (adjective): self-confident 
• secure (adjective): fastened, stable 
• secure (verb): to make safe or lock up
• secure (verb): to obtain or get a hold of